Hi fitzy and welcome to the Portugal forum.
Whilst I haven't stayed at the Perola,I can tell you that it is well situated around midway between the Strip and the Old town (on second thoughts, a bit closer to the Old town than the strip.)Modelo supermarket is close by, as is a taxi rank and the tourist train stop, so getting about shouldn't be a problem.You'll be a fifteen minute, downhill walk to the beach in the Old town - fisherman's beach - and the return, uphill, trip will take you very close to Floyd's bar, run by Algarveaddick from this forum, an excellent pit stop on the way back.
Hope this helps to set the scene a little for you.

Thanks for the welcome Sagres
Yes, that helps a bit, cheers.
Why I`m a bit dubious is because for the last 6 years we`ve been in 4-5* hotels in Bulgaria and Egypt but we seem to be getting priced out on those by so called inflation, so we thought we`d drop down a lot to keep within our budget.
Ah well its no good worrying now, I`ve booked it

I'm sure you'll love the Algarve and like everyone else, you'll soon be hooked on it
Just like me and old Sagres here, we both went (not together......before you put your tuppence worth in, Sagres ) once upon a time and still returning more than 20 years later!!!!
Pat

.......... not so much of the 'old', thankyou very much - I'll have you know that I was still in infants school 20 years ago !!!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.........and then you woke up
Pat

You two at it again your just like an old married couple

Fitzy welcome as Sarges has said and i think you will like portugal it seems a great place [except for a few of the brits they get there -no names mentiond]

wizard

Sarges

Brian, you're having trouble with your ' R's ' again !!

I hope that it's not Glynis that Wiz is refering to......she'll be most upset
Pat

Stayed at the Perola in June last year. Ideally situated between the old town and the strip. Is behind a large supermarket which is great for self catering.
Had a studio apartment which was large and very clean. English speaking tv channels. We really enjoyed our stay there and hope you do to. Have been to the Algarve several times and will be back in September. Love it